Majestic

  • The Traitor Red Blend

    The Traitor Red Blend

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    Simon

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    As I write this, a new season of the hugely popular show The Traitors is captivating audiences on UK TV. Possibly by coincidence, Majestic has introduced a new Chilean own-label wine range intriguingly titled The Traitor, complete with its own fascinating backstory: The legend of the Añañuca flower tells of a young indigenous woman from…

  • Muga Rioja Reserva

    Muga Rioja Reserva

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    Simon

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    Muga is one of the most iconic and traditional bodegas in Rioja. Situated in the historic railway quarter of Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, Muga is renowned for eschewing stainless steel tanks in favour of time-honoured methods. The bodega even operates its own cooperage, creating barrels from a variety of oak sources and carefully…

  • Majestic Showcase

    Majestic Showcase

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    Simon

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    In December 2024, with so few press tastings in the calendar, this gave me the opportunity to visit my local Woking Majestic for their showcase tasting. The event featured nine wines, arranged across three sections: white, red and sweet/fortified. The tasting began on a high note with the Taittinger Brut Réserve, a sparkling classic that…

  • Three Finger Jack Old Vine Zinfandel

    Three Finger Jack Old Vine Zinfandel

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    Simon

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    This wine, from California, takes its name from the notorious gunslinger Three Finger Jack, a figure from California’s Gold Rush era of the 1800s. Made as an homage to his bold spirit, the wine is aged in a combination of French and American oak, enhancing its depth and complexity. This 2020 vintage offers inviting aromas…

  • Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva

    Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva

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    Simon

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    Majestic’s new exclusive (at least in the UK) Viña Pomal Rioja Gran Reserva is made by Bodegas Bilbaínas the longest-established bottling winery in Rioja. With a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, all grapes are from Bodegas Bilbaínas’ own vineyards. This is the 2015 vintage and this wine is only produced in exceptional years….

  • Cantele Amativo

    Cantele Amativo

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    Simon

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    New from Majestic, this 2022 vintage of Amativo, made by Cantele, is a blend of Puglia’s signature red grapes: Negroamaro and Primitivo. The name “Amativo” merges “AMA” from the amaro in Negroamaro and “TIVO” from Primitivo, symbolising this interesting fusion. This wine has earned an impressive 4.3 rating on Vivino. In the glass, Amativo has…

  • Tbilvino Saperavi

    Tbilvino Saperavi

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    Simon

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    Tbilvino, a very ambitious Georgian winery, has set its sights on becoming the country’s leading producer. This wine, Tbilvino Saperavi 2023 13.5%, is made from the Saperavi grape what’s known as a teinturier grape, meaning it has both dark skin and red flesh. From the moment the wine is poured, it commands attention, flowing from…

  • Chosen by Majestic ‘Greek White’

    Chosen by Majestic ‘Greek White’

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    Simon

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    I stumbled upon this great wine by chance during an evening out at a local amateur dramatics production, set in Greece, where we were also served Greek food. This 2023 vintage is a custom blend made for Majestic by the Kintonis winery in the Peloponnese, predominantly featuring Malagousia, along with Roditis and Assyrtiko, resulting in…

  • Mayu Carménère Appassimento

    Mayu Carménère Appassimento

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    Simon

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    After thoroughly enjoying the Mayu Pinot Noir at a recent press tasting, I was eager to try their Carménère. This 2020 vintage comes from the Elqui Valley, one of Chile’s most extreme wine regions, situated nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. With around 300 days of sunshine a year, this climate offers ideal conditions for…

  • Majestic Autumn Winter Tasting

    Majestic Autumn Winter Tasting

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    Simon

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    In September 2024, I attended the Majestic Press Tasting event, which showcased 109 wines from their Autumn/Winter collection. The selection included new arrivals, fine wines and special parcels curated for the upcoming Christmas season. It was a comprehensive display, offering a wide range of styles and price points, as well as Majestic’s recently updated off-the-beaten-track…

  • Viña Pomal 106 Barricas

    Viña Pomal 106 Barricas

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    Simon

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    Viña Pomal, famously associated with Winston Churchill as his reputed bodega of choice, offers its 106 Barricas Rioja Reserva 2019 as a limited edition tribute. The name ‘106’ pays homage, originally in 2010, to the 106th anniversary of the winery’s first harvest in 1904, with only 50,000 bottles produced for this exclusive edition. The wine…

  • Fine Wine Tasting

    Fine Wine Tasting

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    Simon

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    In September 2024, I attended a Fine Wine Evening at my local Majestic in Woking. It was a consumer tasting event, expertly presented by Andrew from Majestic Woking. Andrew, who is soon to move to Majestic Edinburgh, showcased his knowledge throughout the evening, offering insights into the selection of fine wines. The evening began with…

  • Majestic Sees 94% Surge in Organic Wine Sales, Exceeding Growth Expectations

    Majestic Sees 94% Surge in Organic Wine Sales, Exceeding Growth Expectations

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    Simon

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    DrinksRetailing is reporting Majestic has had a significant 94% increase in organic wine sales over the past year, nearly doubling from the previous year. This growth, spanning both retail and on-trade supply sectors, surpasses the company’s initial forecast that predicted a doubling of organic sales within three years. Majestic attributes this success to the improved…

  • Decanter Weekday Wines

    Decanter Weekday Wines

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    Simon

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    Decanter Magazine regularly features a “Weekday Wines” section showcasing top wines under £20, along with a “Weekend Wines” section highlighting selections priced between £20 and £50. These sections focus on the more affordable end of the wine spectrum, making quality wines accessible to a broader audience. I’m pleased to say that some of the wines…

  • Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

    Majestic Italian Wine Tasting

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    Simon

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    In August 2024, I went to an Italian wine tasting at my local Majestic in Woking, just a few doors down from the infamous Woking Pizza Express. It was an enjoyable evening, sampling a variety of Italian wines, including Franciacorta, Soave, Gavi, Greco Di Tufo, a Rosso Veronese, Chianti and a Brunello. Among these, a…

  • Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

    Jas des Vignes Rosé Méditerranée

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    Simon

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    This Provence-style rosé from Ravoire & Fils, a family-owned producer in the IGP Méditerranée region, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. The main label sits proudly at the top of the bottle, drawing attention to its shapely bottle, a hallmark of Provence-style rosé bottles. The grapes are picked at night to preserve their…

  • Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

    Villa Vito Pinot Grigio

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    Simon

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    I don’t usually buy Pinot Grigio, as most of it is mass-produced, of average quality and has a mediocre taste. However, according to Bibendum, it’s the most popular wine on trade, in hospitality venues. So, when I was recently tasked with selecting some wines for a gathering, I felt compelled to include a Pinot Grigio…

  • Majestic Spring Press Tasting

    Majestic Spring Press Tasting

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    Simon

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    The Majestic Spring Press Tasting took place in April 2024, in London, revolving around the tag line “There’s a story behind every glass”. This event was notable not just for the wines themselves but also for the impressive detail in the thick, 209 page tasting notes booklet, covering the 101 wines. This tasting included the…

  • Wines From Major Wine Outlets

    Wines From Major Wine Outlets

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    Simon

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    In his article for the Guardian Newspaper, David Williams discusses the evolving landscape of wine retail in the UK, especially highlighting the performance of major wine outlets like Majestic, Naked Wines, Virgin Wines and The Wine Society. He notes that during and after the pandemic, these retailers faced various challenges including the inflation and cost-of-living…

  • Saperavi Grape

    Saperavi Grape

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    Simon

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    The Metro newspaper recently shed light on the ‘Saperavi’, a grape that originates from Georgia, between Eastern Europe and West Asia. Saperavi bears a striking resemblance in taste and character to Cabernet Sauvignon but with a twist. It also has the warming spice and rich texture reminiscent of a hearty Argentinian Malbec. What sets Saperavi…

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